Shaheen Shah Afridi, the captain of Lahore Qalandars captain spoke about the importance of the Pakistan Super League for the country’s greater good. According to him, cricket makes people happy and hence the T20 league brings joy.

Afridi on PSL bringing joy

Pakistan has been struggling on all fronts for quite some time. The Pakistan T20I captain who is also the Lahore Qalandars skipper, Shaheed Shah Afridi highlighted amidst this how the PSL brings distraction and joy for the people who love cricket. “The way the country’s situation is. The PSL and cricket is something that makes people happy. Elections just got over, so I’m hopeful the crowds turn up and support cricket.”

When I wasn’t captain, I didn’t know a lot of things

In an interaction with ESPNcricinfo, Afridi also talked about his learnings from captaincy. “When I wasn’t captain, I didn’t know a lot of things. Some so them are so basic I don’t even want to tell you about them. When you’re a bowler you only focus on yourself and your bowling.” He explained how everyone in the squad is equal to a skipper. He spoke about how a leader must take the team along with them and be extra responsible for everyone who is part of the squad and team management.

“When you’re captain, the 11 who play and the five sitting on the bench are all your players. You have to treat them as individuals, talk to them all, and keep a friendly atmosphere. You even have a responsibility to conduct yourself in a particular way with the coaching staff, because you’re all pursuing the same goals.”

Afridi replaced Babar Azam as Pakistan’s T20I captain after the 2023 World Cup based on his previous captaincy stint with the Lahore Qalandars. He had taken charge of them ahead of the 2022 PSL edition and led them back-to-back two titles. However, under Afridi’s captaincy Pakistan lost their maiden series 4-1 to New Zealand away from home.